You’ve probably wondered why your watercolor sessions feel clunky when they shouldn’t. The palette you’re using might be the culprit. Whether you’re a hobbyist or seasoned professional, finding the right tray can transform how you work. We’ve identified seven options that artists consistently choose—and the deciding factors that matter most. Uncover which one’s built for your style.
Quick Overview
- Airtight designs with deep wells keep pigments moist longer, enabling extended working sessions without paint drying out.
- Professional-grade porcelain palettes with non-porous surfaces prevent paint absorption and simplify cleanup while maintaining color vibrancy.
- Separate mixing zones prevent color contamination, allowing artists to blend freely while keeping organized pigments undisturbed.
- Varied well sizes and configurations accommodate multiple mediums including watercolor, acrylic, and gouache for versatile creative work.
- Lightweight, durable construction in plastic or ceramic resists warping and cracking, providing dependable tools for consistent studio use.
| Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Watercolor Palette with Lid |
| Best For Travel | Material: Sturdy white plastic | Number of Wells: 18 wells | Mixing Areas: 2 large mixing areas | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Watercolor Paint Tray Palette Large Square 13×10 Inches |
| Most Mixing Space | Material: Sturdy white plastic | Number of Wells: 20 wells | Mixing Areas: Plenty of space to mix paint | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Mr. Pen 4 Pack Paint Tray Palettes for Kids |
| Best For Kids | Material: Durable plastic | Number of Wells: 10 wells | Mixing Areas: 1 central reservoir | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| MEEDEN 12-Well Round Porcelain Watercolor Paint Palette |
| Best Overall | Material: Premium white ceramic | Number of Wells: 12 wells | Mixing Areas: Excellent for mixing colors | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| White Round Watercolor Paint Palette Tray (7-Hole) |
| Most Compact | Material: High-quality white porcelain | Number of Wells: 7 wells | Mixing Areas: Wells sized for efficient paint mixing | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| MEEDEN Ceramic Tray Palette for Watercolor Painting |
| Most Durable | Material: White-glazed porcelain | Number of Wells: Multiple wells with large mixing area | Mixing Areas: Substantial centric mixing area | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
| Junreox Watercolor Palette with 24 Wells and Mixing Areas |
| Best Professional Choice | Material: Smooth plastic | Number of Wells: 24 wells | Mixing Areas: 5 different-sized mixing areas | VIEW LATEST PRICE | Read Our Analysis |
More Details on Our Top Picks
Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Watercolor Palette with Lid
If you’re looking for a versatile palette that’ll keep your paints fresh without breaking the bank, the Mr. Pen Airtight 18-Well Watercolor Palette with Lid delivers. You’ll appreciate its sturdy white plastic construction and airtight design that keeps pigments moist between sessions. The palette features 18 wells for organizing your colors and two generous mixing areas for blending. Whether you’re working with watercolors, acrylics, or other water-based mediums, this folding tray adapts to your needs. It’s equally suited for classroom instruction, travel, or plein air work. Students, hobbyists, and professionals alike find it practical and durable. Cleanup’s effortless, and portability makes it ideal for artists constantly on the move.
- Material:Sturdy white plastic
- Number of Wells:18 wells
- Mixing Areas:2 large mixing areas
- Portability/Travel:Airtight lid for travel; suitable for Plein air painting
- Paint Medium Compatibility:Watercolor, acrylic, and other water-based pigments
- Ease of Cleaning:Easy to clean
- Additional Feature:Airtight lid keeps paint moist
- Additional Feature:Folding tray design
- Additional Feature:Suitable for classroom use
Watercolor Paint Tray Palette Large Square 13×10 Inches
You’ll appreciate this 13 x 10-inch palette tray because it’s versatile enough for teachers, students, and professional artists alike. The sturdy white plastic construction keeps your setup lightweight at just 0.35 lb, making it genuinely portable. With 20 paint wells—including eight squares, four large circles, and eight small circles—you’ll have ample mixing space for complex color combinations. The tray handles watercolor, acrylic, and gouache seamlessly, adapting to whatever medium you’re working with. Cleanup’s a breeze since paint washes off quickly, and the reusable design means you’ll get lasting value. Whether you’re teaching art classes, tackling DIY projects, or creating professional work, this palette delivers functional performance without compromise.
- Material:Sturdy white plastic
- Number of Wells:20 wells
- Mixing Areas:Plenty of space to mix paint
- Portability/Travel:Lightweight; portable
- Paint Medium Compatibility:Watercolor, acrylic, gouache
- Ease of Cleaning:Easy to clean; paint washes off quickly
- Additional Feature:Varied well shapes/sizes
- Additional Feature:Lightweight at 0.35lb
- Additional Feature:Ideal for parties/DIY
Mr. Pen 4 Pack Paint Tray Palettes for Kids
The Mr. Pen 4 Pack gives you four compact round palettes perfect for young artists. Each tray features ten wells surrounding a central reservoir, allowing you to mix and hold multiple colors simultaneously. With a 6.7-inch diameter and shallow 0.4-inch well depth, they’re lightweight and comfortable for children to grip during painting sessions. The durable plastic construction withstands regular use, while the smooth surface guarantees easy cleanup afterward. You’ll appreciate how affordable this four-pack is, making it an excellent choice for classrooms, art programs, or home use. These palettes deliver reliable functionality without unnecessary complexity.
- Material:Durable plastic
- Number of Wells:10 wells
- Mixing Areas:1 central reservoir
- Portability/Travel:Lightweight and small; comfortable for children
- Paint Medium Compatibility:Paint holding and mixing (unspecified mediums)
- Ease of Cleaning:Easy cleaning; smooth surface
- Additional Feature:Central reservoir compartment
- Additional Feature:Comfortable child-grip design
- Additional Feature:Four palettes included
MEEDEN 12-Well Round Porcelain Watercolor Paint Palette
MEEDEN’s 12-well round porcelain palette stands out for artists who want a versatile, durable mixing surface that won’t quit on them. This 7-inch ceramic tray features 12 spacious wells perfect for watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, and tempera paints. You’ll appreciate its smooth surface that prevents paint from beading, making color mixing effortless. The medium weight keeps it stable on your easel or workspace, while the premium eco-friendly material guarantees longevity. Whether you’re in your studio or painting en plein air, you’ll find cleaning and maintenance hassle-free. This palette genuinely helps sharpen your color-mixing skills while delivering professional-grade functionality.
- Material:Premium white ceramic
- Number of Wells:12 wells
- Mixing Areas:Excellent for mixing colors
- Portability/Travel:Good for studio or field use
- Paint Medium Compatibility:Watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil, tempera
- Ease of Cleaning:Easy cleaning and wiping
- Additional Feature:Prevents paint beading surface
- Additional Feature:Sufficient weight stability
- Additional Feature:Improves color mixing skills
White Round Watercolor Paint Palette Tray (7-Hole)
If you’re seeking a versatile, easy-to-clean palette for experimenting across multiple paint mediums, Zhuluck’s white round tray won’t disappoint. This high-quality porcelain palette features seven individual wells sized for efficient mixing of watercolors, gouache, acrylics, or oils. The smooth, non-porous surface delivers ideal color blending while remaining incredibly easy to wash and maintain. At just 0.02 pounds, its compact design won’t clutter your workspace. With a stellar 4.7-star rating from twenty-one reviewers and a ranking of #274 in palettes, this palette proves itself a reliable choice for artists who value functionality and versatility without breaking the bank.
- Material:High-quality white porcelain
- Number of Wells:7 wells
- Mixing Areas:Wells sized for efficient paint mixing
- Portability/Travel:Compact overall design
- Paint Medium Compatibility:Watercolor, gouache, acrylic, oil paints
- Ease of Cleaning:Easy washing and maintenance
- Additional Feature:High customer ratings (4.7★)
- Additional Feature:Non-porous porcelain surface
- Additional Feature:Compact efficient design
MEEDEN Ceramic Tray Palette for Watercolor Painting
Artists seeking a durable, professional-grade palette that’ll accommodate numerous pigments without spillage will find MEEDEN’s extra-large ceramic tray an excellent choice. The white-glazed porcelain construction features a substantial central mixing area alongside multiple storage compartments, preventing paint overflow. You’ll appreciate how the smooth glazed surface resists pigment staining and cleans effortlessly without residue. This palette works seamlessly with watercolor, acrylic, gouache, and any water-based medium. With proper care, your MEEDEN palette becomes a lifetime investment, delivering reliable performance through countless artistic sessions.
- Material:White-glazed porcelain
- Number of Wells:Multiple wells with large mixing area
- Mixing Areas:Substantial centric mixing area
- Portability/Travel:Durable for studio use
- Paint Medium Compatibility:Watercolor, acrylic, gouache, water-based mediums
- Ease of Cleaning:Easy cleaning; won’t leave pigment waste
- Additional Feature:Extra-large centric mixing area
- Additional Feature:Lifetime durability potential
- Additional Feature:White-glazed porcelain construction
Junreox Watercolor Palette with 24 Wells and Mixing Areas
The Junreox Watercolor Palette with 24 Wells and Mixing Areas is your ideal choice if you’re seeking a portable, compact palette that doesn’t compromise on functionality. You’ll appreciate its lightweight design that folds to just 11.8×5.35×0.78 inches, making it perfect for studio work, classrooms, or outdoor painting sessions. The palette features 24 deep wells and five differently-sized mixing areas, allowing you to blend colors effortlessly. Its sturdy plastic construction includes a convenient thumbhole for single-hand use and five brush holes for quick access. You can work with watercolors, gouache, acrylics, and pigments. Just remember to empty it before traveling since it’s not airtight.
- Material:Smooth plastic
- Number of Wells:24 wells
- Mixing Areas:5 different-sized mixing areas
- Portability/Travel:Lightweight and travel-friendly; folds for portability
- Paint Medium Compatibility:Watercolor, gouache, acrylics, pigments
- Ease of Cleaning:Easy-to-clean plastic construction
- Additional Feature:Dedicated brush storage compartment
- Additional Feature:Thumbhole for single-hand use
- Additional Feature:Foldable compact travel design
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Watercolor Palette Tray
When you’re selecting a watercolor palette tray, you’ll want to evaluate the material quality to guarantee it withstands regular use and won’t warp or crack over time. Consider your specific needs regarding size, portability, well configuration, and mixing space—whether you’re working in a studio, plein air, or traveling determines which features matter most. You’ll also need to balance capacity with durability so your palette investment serves your artistic practice for years to come.
Material Quality Matters
Selecting the right material for your watercolor palette tray can considerably impact your painting experience and the palette’s longevity. You’ll find three primary options: ceramic, porcelain, and plastic, each offering distinct advantages.
Ceramic and porcelain trays feature smooth, non-porous surfaces that prevent paint from beading, allowing you to mix colors more effectively. Their glazed coating resists staining and simplifies cleaning. However, these materials require careful handling due to breakage risks.
Plastic trays provide lightweight, shatter-resistant alternatives with practical features like mixing wells, brush grooves, and lids that keep paints moist longer. While durable, they’re less ideal for color mixing than ceramic options.
Regardless of material choice, prioritize thickness and weight. Heavier trays remain stable during use, preventing frustrating spills and tip-overs that interrupt your creative flow.
Size and Portability Needs
Your palette size should match both your paint collection and available workspace. Consider how many colors you typically use and whether you’ll paint at home or travel frequently.
If you’re painting outdoors or traveling, prioritize compact and lightweight options that fit easily into your kit. Studio painters can opt for larger trays that provide more mixing surface area without worrying about portability.
Look for well-designed layouts that maximize your working space for efficient color mixing and organization. The dimensions should feel comfortable in your hands during extended painting sessions.
Evaluate the overall weight alongside dimensions to guarantee it integrates smoothly into your workflow, whether you’re working at a desk, easel, or in the field. The right size enhances both functionality and enjoyment.
Well Configuration and Capacity
Once you’ve determined the right size for your needs, the internal layout of your palette tray becomes equally important. You’ll want to examine the number of wells and their dimensions carefully.
A palette with 12-24 wells gives you flexibility to organize multiple colors while maintaining ample mixing space. Larger wells—around 1-2 inches in diameter—let you prepare substantial paint quantities without constantly refilling. Shallower wells, roughly 0.5-1 inch deep, slow evaporation and keep your paints workable longer.
Beyond individual wells, dedicated mixing areas transform your workflow. Separate zones allow you to blend colors freely without disturbing your organized pigments. This configuration prevents muddy colors from contaminating your primary palette sections, ensuring cleaner mixes and better color control throughout your painting sessions.
Mixing Space Requirements
The canvas you’re creating determines how much mixing space you’ll actually need. Larger-scale projects and complex artwork demand considerably more room for color blending than smaller pieces. If you’re working with wet-on-wet watercolor techniques, you’ll require substantial, uninterrupted mixing areas to achieve smooth shifts and desired effects.
Consider palette trays featuring generous central mixing zones alongside multiple peripheral wells. This layout lets you store various paint colors while maintaining ample space for blending. The number and arrangement of wells directly impact your efficiency—varied well sizes and shapes offer greater versatility for different color combinations.
Deeper paint wells also extend your workable time by slowing evaporation, allowing you to blend colors thoroughly without rushing. Assess your typical project scope and preferred techniques before selecting a tray that matches your mixing demands.
Durability for Long-Term Use
Since you’ll likely use your watercolor palette tray repeatedly over months or years, selecting one built to last makes financial and creative sense. Look for trays made from durable materials like ceramic, porcelain, or high-quality plastic that withstand regular use and cleaning without deteriorating.
A non-porous, glossy surface is essential—it prevents paint absorption and simplifies cleanup between sessions. Choose trays with sturdy construction designed to resist warping or cracking under typical studio conditions.
Beyond material selection, proper maintenance substantially extends your palette’s lifespan. Keep it clean and dry when not in use, and store it carefully to avoid damage. A well-constructed palette becomes a dependable creative tool you’ll rely on for years.
Paint Medium Compatibility
If you work with multiple water-based mediums—watercolor, gouache, and acrylic—you’ll want a palette that handles them all effectively. Non-porous materials like plastic, ceramic, and porcelain prevent paint absorption, keeping your colors vibrant and workable. The well depth matters greatly: deep wells accommodate watercolor’s fluid consistency, while shallow wells suit gouache’s thicker texture. Some versatile palettes bridge this gap, offering mixed well depths so you can experiment across mediums without switching trays. Before purchasing, verify your palette supports your primary medium and any others you’re considering. This compatibility guarantees smooth paint flow, proper blending, and consistent results regardless of which water-based medium you’re using.
